Real Estate

Play ‘The Asking Price Is Right’

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Dana Dratch
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It’s not as easy as it looks

Do you have an eye for real estate? Believe you can pinpoint the price tag just from a description? Can you adjust that value based on home features and neighborhood amenities?

Then be the next contestant on “The Asking Price Is Right.”

Here’s the game: five homes, five descriptions — each with photos. You choose one of three possible asking prices. Sounds easy enough, right?

But, as with most games, there’s a twist. You won’t be told the home’s location. Is it in an uber-expensive area? Or possibly someplace much more affordable? (And there will be a few clues to that location, if you can spot them.)

Think you know real estate? Put your knowledge to the test, and see how you rate.

  1. First Question

    A condo overlooking a marina

    Realtor.com

    How about a little fun in the sun? That could be yours with this two-bedroom, 2 1/2-bath condo right on the marina.

    Enjoy morning coffee on the oversize, covered lanai overlooking the lushly landscaped community pool. Bask in the jetted tub in a master bathroom replete with marble and mirrors. Fix a light bite in the custom galley kitchen (with all stainless steel appliances) -- or make drinks for friends in the nearby butler's pantry.

    Convenient spot

    Built in 1988, this Mediterranean-style villa has floor-to-ceiling windows, tile floors and recessed lighting throughout. Convert the den into a home office or gorgeous guest room.

    This mid-rise building is walking distance to restaurants and shopping, and comes with a parking spot for you and valet parking for your guests.

    So what's the asking price?

    A. $760,000. And this 2,237-square-foot condo is located in Aventura, Florida.

    Home data courtesy of Patrick Jaimez with Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate -- Aventura.

  2. Next Question

    A globetrotter's 1-bedroom condo

    A globetrotter's 1-bedroom condo

    Realtor.com

    How would you like to live in the heart of an exciting city?

    Wake up in the sunny bedroom with floor-to-ceiling windows, and step out to your private balcony for coffee. Enjoy breakfast in an ultramodern kitchen that makes the most of the space with stainless steel appliances, custom cabinets and sleek, quartz counters with a breakfast bar.

    Almost like a real doorman

    At the end of the day, sweat your troubles away in the building's gym, or relax in a deep soaking tub in the master bathroom.

    This one-bedroom offers oak floors, high ceilings and lots of light with a southern exposure.

    This state-of-the-art luxury building, constructed in 2007, features a 24/7 "virtual doorman," a community garden and bike storage. And the building's patio and rooftop are perfect for parties or just kicking back with friends.

    So what's the asking price?

    B. The asking price for this 625-square-foot condo in New York's East Harlem neighborhood was $499,000.

    Condo data supplied by Kristina Ojdanic with Corcoran Group Real Estate -- West Side Gallery.

  3. Next Question

    A cozy but big family house

    A cozy but big family house?

    Realtor.com

    This classic, traditional two-story house is built for comfort -- and a growing family.

    Bake cookies in the eat-in kitchen with double ovens, granite counters and a breakfast bar. Let the kids grab a snack or do homework in the adjacent dining area.

    During the warm months, the family can enjoy meals alfresco on the large deck, just off the kitchen.

    Big garage, big yard

    Catch the big game with the gang in the sunny living room with a cathedral ceiling and gas fireplace. Or, have a quiet conversation on the old-fashioned front porch.

    This four-bedroom, 2 1/2-bath home also has super-practical features, like a sunny laundry room with a wash sink and built-in cabinets, three-car garage and basement.

    And the master bath combines the practicality of double sinks with the luxury of a big soaking tub.

    This 2-year-old house also has a big yard and sits on just over half an acre.

    So what's the asking price?

    A. This 2,400-square-foot house, built in 2013, was on the market for $349,900. It's located in Dexter, Michigan, northwest of Ann Arbor.

    Home data courtesy of Kathy Toth with Keller Williams Ann Arbor.

  4. Next Question

    A nice house for entertaining

    A nice house for entertaining

    Realtor.com

    This Spanish-style house is built for entertaining. Take a dip in the lagoon-style pool under the swaying palm trees. Enjoy a cool drink on the massive tiled lanai. At dinnertime, fire up the backyard grill. When the evening gets cool, keep the party going around the built-in chiminea.

    Built in 2002, the three-bedroom, 3 1/2-bath house features an open gourmet kitchen with double ovens, a prep island that doubles as a breakfast bar and a butler's pantry with wet bar and wine cooler.

    Suite guest accommodations

    Set out snacks in the adjacent dining area, or host a dinner party in the formal dining room, which opens onto the lanai. For overnight guests, each bedroom has its own en suite bathroom and walk-in closet.

    When you're ready to send everyone home and relax, the luxurious master bath offers a soaking tub with a view, and doorless "snail" shower with glass brick and frosted glass.

    This 2-year-old house also has a big yard and sits on just over half an acre.

    So what's the asking price?

    A. This 3,653-square-foot house was on the market for $500,000 in Casa Grande, Arizona, just south of Phoenix, and sold for $15,000 more than the asking price.

    House data courtesy of Jesse Herfel with Keller Williams Integrity First Realty.

  5. Next Question

    Sleek living in the City

    Sleek living in the City

    Realtor.com

    This contemporary urban town house could be a movie set.

    With sleek lines, dramatic two-story ceilings, catwalks, floating stairs and floor-to-ceiling windows, it's all light and living space.

    When you're feeling hungry in this foodie town, whip up a feast in the T-shaped, galley-style kitchen fully loaded with professional equipment (including a Bertazzoni six-burner gas range), quartz counters and custom cabinets. A peninsula with sink and built-in wine fridge doubles as a wet bar when you entertain.

    Enjoy spa-level luxury in the masculine master bath, decked out in gray slate tile. Take a steam in the glass shower with multiple heads, built-in speakers and a stone floor. Or bask in the soaking tub.

    You can also decompress on one of two private decks. And there's a one-car garage tucked under the home.

    Green and gadgety

    This brand-new three-bedroom, four-bath home incorporates eco-friendly features, including renewable woods, radiant floor heating and low-VOC (volatile organic compound) materials throughout, plus a drip lawn-irrigation system.

    Are you a gadget guru? This home has a video intercom system, and security cameras you can access by smartphone.

    So what's the asking price?

    C. This 2,185-square-foot townhouse, on the market for $2.95 million, is located in San Francisco's Mission District.

    Condo data courtesy of Jonathan Deason with Vanguard Properties Inc.

  6. How did you do?

    You got 0-2 right: Oooh, so sorry! But thanks for playing "The Asking Price Is Right!"

    You got 3 or 4 right: Congratulations! Although you didn't win the championship, you did really well. And look at the bright side: You won just as much in cash and prizes as the players who got five out of five.

    You got all 5 right: Congratulations! You're the big winner! And as the champion of "The Asking Price Is Right," you've earned ... some major bragging rights! (No cash or prizes, though. Sorry.)

    START OVER
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